Russellville attorney John R. Peel opened Wednesday night’s opposition presentation to the Russellville City Council about the proposed rezoning ordinance with an appeal about reviewing the city’s infrastructure information from a logical approach.

Street traffic impact was the centerpiece of the discussion.

At times Peel and his team had trouble accurately describing traffic flow in western Russellville in the area where the new Walmart Neighborhood Market will be built if the zoning change is approved from residential to a planned unit development (PUD).

He gave details about the streets south of the proposed store project at Vancouver Avenue and West Main Street, and indicated there were dead end streets that would present traffic issues. Alderman Garland Steuber brought it to the attention of the council the streets Peel named were not dead ends.

“This project will significantly change the traffic patterns that will impact that area,” Peel said.

When asked by the council how far down Vancouver Avenue will need to be widened, Morgan Barret, a member of of Peel’s team, told the council he did not have a traffic count for Vancouver.

“It is hard to combat the money Walmart has for studies and surveys,” Peel later said.

Peel’s basic argument hinged on whether or not the streets in the vicinity of the proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market are compatible with this type of new business. He pointed out the right of way in the adjacent neighborhood is only 50 feet wide.

The section of street Peel referred to is further down South Vancouver Avenue, but not a great distance from the street area that Walmart said would be impacted by the day-to-day operations of their grocery store.

Peel’s team asserted the traffic would increase by 100 percent if a store is put into that site.

Alderman Randy Horton questioned how traffic would double on Vancouver.

“Is it assuming everyone will stop shopping at Kroger? Is it assuming everyone will go to the grocery store every day?” Horton asked.

Peel said the PUD criteria has not really been studied.

“The need for ordinance updates and the PUD criteria have been looked at more during this project proposal than any other time,” Mayor Bill Eaton responded.

Peel moved forward by then presenting alternative building sites the company could use for a new store.

“There are viable, alternative five-acre lots which are cheaper,” he said. “They would even save Walmart money.”

“I have received calls from residents who say put Walmart in. Folks that live there want it.” Alderman Richard Harris said. “I talked to at least a thousand people.”

Horton said he has received phone calls and emails on the topic. He calculated the ratio to be 6-to-4 in favor of the project.

Alderman Martin Irwin said after talking to the numerous people he sees day to day, he concluded 7-to-1 are against it.

Some of the Council members are trying to justify this project by saying citizens they have talk to are in favor. mr Harris said he talk to a thousand people. I doubt that. Look at the online survey resins. 63% are not in favor yet our elected officials are giving into Walmart without taking into consideration the will of the people.

Alderman Horton's argument in favor of Walmart is based on his idiotic unscientific survey of residents. He has put blinders on in every meeting and not listened to residents concerns in opposition. I am certain if this project was in his neighborhood his blinders would come off and he would listen to his constituents. Additionally he states that he doesn't know how traffic flow will double on Vancouver. There is so much uncertainty on the traffic impacts that a separate independent study needs to be commissioned to evaluate the issue rather than depending on Walmart's bogus report.

I agree with that, if the store were to be placed next to his own home, his feelings would probably change. I don't look forward to the rise in traffic, a HUGE pain for everyone in my neighborhood. There are limited routes for people to get in/out of that location if the store goes in. Traffic will be a mess to say the least, and our city is not ready for it. Perhaps the Aldermen need to go talk to the people in this neighborhood, and thereby get a real feel from the residents to be most affected.

One more thing, take a look at crimes in and around the current Walmart parking lot, it will shock you. Shootings, assaults, robbery and more are some of the examples I found.

There are more than a few streets in the immediate vicinity of Vancouver and Main that do NOT go through all the way. We are asking for trouble if we allow a zoning change just to appease this corporation. Walmart has these things already figured out folks. Be warned of the outcome, yep folks will stop shopping as much at our Kroger too.